Shout-out to our school advisors!

Antonio Howell, an advisor from Roberts Academy, helps a Crew teen fish during an adventure.

The back-to-school season is a huge part of our yearly rhythm here at Adventure Crew. We were founded in a CPS classroom, after all, thanks to the vision of founder and former Hughes High School teacher Denny McFadden. 

While we have programs and events that run all year long, our entry-level adventure program, Explorer, is aligned with the school year. Explorer is the gateway to the Crew Pathways, our four-tiered, progressive program framework, for students in grades 7-12. From September through May, an average of 75 teens turn out each Saturday to dive into challenges such as kayaking, ice and roller skating, skiing and snowboarding, high ropes courses, archery, and cycling, often for the first time. 

All this hinges on some essential members of the Explorer program team – our school advisors. These dedicated teachers, guidance counselors and resource coordinators are trusted members of their school communities, forming an essential bridge for students to connect to our programs. Advisors serve as Adventure Crew club leaders at each of our 27 (soon to be 30!) partner schools in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, with two advisors at most schools. 

Advisors work closely with our program staff, holding student recruitment events, coordinating attendance and waivers for the Saturday outings, and ensuring students are ready for their adventures. And a critical part of this success story is that the advisors join students on their school’s chosen Saturday each month.

To our school advisors, thank you! We are immensely grateful for your commitment to connect young people to the beauty of the outdoors. You are one of the main reasons the Crew kids cite as inspiration for coming out each weekend. The time, care and enthusiasm you bring to this work make a deep and lasting difference. 

Here’s to a fantastic, adventure-filled school year ahead!

Advisors Cassandra Harant from Hughes and Morgan Manning of Sayler Park are pictured roller skating with Crew teens during an adventure.